Redtail bagrid
Hemibagrus nemurus
Also known as Nemurus catfish, River catfish, Asian redtail bagrid
FreshwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 72–81°F
- 22–27°C
- pH
- 6.5–7.5
- Adult size
- 25.6 in
- 65 cm
- Minimum tank
- 185 gal
- 700 L
- Temperament
- Aggressive
- Social behavior
- Solitary
- Tankmates
- With caution
- Swim level
- Bottom
- Difficulty
- Difficult
- Breeding
- No record
- Rarity
- Rare
- Family
- Bagridae
- Origin
- Native to rivers of Southeast Asia, including the Mekong and the Sunda region.
Overview
The redtail bagrid is a large, aggressive predator that outgrows most community tanks and turns territorial, so it needs a big tank of at least 700 liters and, in most cases, life as a single specimen. It will eat any tankmate it can swallow and may bully ones it cannot, so companions must be large and robust. It is a hardy, greedy feeder on meaty foods like fish, prawns, and earthworms, taking sinking pellets readily. Provide sturdy cover, since it likes a solid retreat to claim as territory.
In the wild
The redtail bagrid is a large predatory catfish of Southeast Asian rivers and reservoirs, sheltering in wood and undercut banks by day and hunting fish and invertebrates at night. It has a broad head, long barbels, and often a reddish tinge to the tail. Give it a big tank with a soft floor, large driftwood, solid caves, and clean, warm, flowing water at 22 to 27 degrees C.
Good to know
Hemibagrus nemurus reaches about 65 cm and is a robust, aggressive bagrid, not to be confused with the even larger Hemibagrus wyckioides, another Asian redtail catfish. It has strong, locking pectoral spines and a large mouth. It is an important food and aquaculture species across its range.
Did you know
It is one of several unrelated Asian catfish sold as redtails, so a small nemurus in a shop can easily be mistaken for a fish that grows to very different sizes.
Common questions
What size tank does a Redtail bagrid need?
A Redtail bagrid needs at least 185 gal (700 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.
What temperature and pH does a Redtail bagrid need?
A Redtail bagrid is comfortable at 72–81°F (22–27°C) with a pH of 6.5–7.5.
How big does a Redtail bagrid get?
An adult Redtail bagrid reaches about 25.6 in (65 cm).
Related species
39.4 in (100 cm)450 gal (1,703 L)72–82°F (22–28°C)Asian redtail catfish
Hemibagrus wyckioides
39.4 in (100 cm) · 450 gal (1,703 L)
7.9 in (20 cm)79 gal (300 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)Dragon bagrid catfish
Hemibagrus olyroides
7.9 in (20 cm) · 79 gal (300 L)
27.6 in (70 cm)264 gal (1,000 L)61–79°F (16–26°C)Chinese longsnout catfish
Leiocassis longirostris
27.6 in (70 cm) · 264 gal (1,000 L)
13.4 in (34 cm)106 gal (400 L)61–79°F (16–26°C)Tawny dragon catfish
Tachysurus fulvidraco
13.4 in (34 cm) · 106 gal (400 L)
11.8 in (30 cm)120 gal (455 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)Harlequin lancer catfish
Bagroides melapterus
11.8 in (30 cm) · 120 gal (455 L)
59.1 in (150 cm)1,057 gal (4,000 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)Kampango
Bagrus meridionalis
59.1 in (150 cm) · 1,057 gal (4,000 L)